Entrepreneurial journeys often begin with humble beginnings and unexpected setbacks. For Kalaiarasan Loganathan, a young entrepreneur from Vellakovil in Tamil Nadu, the road to building a travel company was shaped by persistence, industry experience, and the ability to turn difficult moments into opportunities. Today he leads TheTourist360, a travel company known for organizing Maldives holidays and curated international travel experiences for Indian travelers.
Growing Up in a Small Town
Kalaiarasan Loganathan was born on December 14, 1996, in Vellakovil, Tamil Nadu. He grew up in a middle-class household where financial stability required continuous effort. His father, Loganathan Palaniappan, worked in the second-hand car business and also drove vehicles to support the family income. His mother, Sagunthala Natarajan, is a homemaker who managed the household.
Education and Early Ambitions
After completing his schooling at Punitha Amala Annai School, Kalaiarasan moved to Coimbatore to pursue higher education. He completed a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology. Like many engineering graduates in India, he initially aimed to begin a career in the IT sector.
Early Struggles After Graduation
Despite multiple job applications and interviews, Kalaiarasan was unable to secure an IT job. At the same time, he was responsible for repaying an education loan of approximately ₹5 lakh. During this phase, he also experienced a setback when a promised overseas job in Singapore turned out to be fraudulent after he paid ₹35,000 as processing fees.
Starting a Career in the Maldives
A turning point came when he attended tourism job interviews for positions in the Maldives. Kalaiarasan was selected as an Airport Representative at Velana International Airport and moved to the Maldives in 2020 with a monthly salary of $450.
Learning the Global Tourism Industry
Working at Velana International Airport exposed him to the international tourism ecosystem. His responsibilities included assisting travelers, coordinating airport pickups, and managing transfers to island resorts. This experience gave him valuable insight into global travel operations.
Pandemic and Job Loss
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel, tourism jobs were significantly affected. Kalaiarasan eventually lost his job and returned to India during this challenging period for the industry.
Returning to the Maldives
After about seven months, as travel restrictions began easing, Kalaiarasan returned to the Maldives and resumed work as an Airport Representative. This return allowed him to reconnect with the tourism sector and the professional network he had built earlier.
Starting a Travel Service Part-Time
While continuing his airport job, Kalaiarasan began helping Indian travelers organize Maldives trips. Using his local contacts, he arranged hotel stays, airport transfers, and travel itineraries. Initially this effort started as a part-time activity.
Developing the Business
As more travelers approached him through referrals, the travel service gradually expanded. Kalaiarasan refined the operations, built partnerships with resorts, and improved travel coordination.
The Creation of TheTourist360
Over time, the initiative evolved into TheTourist360. As demand continued to grow, Kalaiarasan eventually transitioned from running the venture part-time to operating the company full-time.
Expanding to Multiple Destinations
Today, TheTourist360 organizes travel experiences across destinations including Maldives, Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and several European locations. Within India the company also offers travel experiences to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Manali, and Kashmir.
Recognition in the Tourism Industry
Kalaiarasan Loganathan’s entrepreneurial journey has gained recognition in the tourism sector. He received the Tourism Business Icon 2025 Award at the Indian Awards, and TheTourist360 was recognized as the Most Trusted Travel Company of South India 2025.
An Entrepreneurial Journey
From a small-town upbringing in Tamil Nadu to building a travel company serving customers across India, the journey of Kalaiarasan Loganathan reflects persistence, learning, and the ability to transform setbacks into entrepreneurial opportunities
